The Major League Lacrosse draft Friday in Baltimore will feature
one of the most talented draft classes in recent memory, MLL
coaches and general mangers say.

It's also the first MLL draft to be held before the pro and college seasons
begin. Teams are basing their picks on evaluations of
players' college careers to date and recommendations by college
coaches, which is tricky when perhaps untouted players still have
an entire season to prove their stock.

Preseason predictions can be unreliable or players can be
injured, so the dynamic of this draft is different than in years
past. It's like picking a list for preseason player of the year
candidates, and hoping the selections pan out.

Here's my best shot.

FIRST ROUND

1. Toronto Nationals: Kevin Crowley, M, Stony Brook
(51a, 26a, 69 GBs in 2010)
"The most complete player in the draft," one MLL coach said, and
many feel that way. Crowley led Stony Brook to the most wins in
school history (13) and the NCAA quarterfinals last season. He
scored the most goals in a single season by a Stony Brook player.
That's not to discount his passing ability, either, in the face of
early slides, double- and triple-teams. "We saw some bizarre
defenses that I had never seen before," Crowley said. The 6-foot-4,
200-pounder also played on Team Canada this summer at the FIL World
Championships and should fit in well with the Nationals'
Canadian-Iroquois flavor.

2. Rochester Rattlers: Joel White, LSM/D, Syracuse (6g,
4a, 78 GBs)
Rochester definitely needs a goalie, but White is too good to pass
up. He's still at long stick midfield despite speculation every
preseason that he'll switch to short stick because he has the
skills. The other option for Rochester is White's Syracuse
teammate, goalie John Galloway, the top goalie in the draft. But
none of the other five teams have a glaring need in goal, and
Rochester can likely land Galloway with its No. 8 overall
selection. There are also whispers of Brett Queener returning to
Rochester via trade from the Nationals.

3. Denver Outlaws: Billy Bitter, A, North Carolina (22g,
22a, 42 GBs)
The Outlaws need a dynamic offensive playmaker that can open up
options for other talents like Max Seibald, Brendan Mundorf and
Drew Westervelt. Bitter can do that, as the college lacrosse world
first came to see during his breakout sophomore season. We know he
was hampered by injuries last year and was the target of many a
defensemen (i.e. Virginia's Bray Malphrus' second quarter hit on
Bitter at the Big City Classic), which led to a down year, but
Bitter fits the bill of what the Outlaws are looking for.

4. Boston Cannons: Ryan Flanagan, D, North Carolina (51
GBs, 36 CTs)
Boston coach Billy Daye's North Carolina ties will come into play
with this pick. Other talents, specifically midfielders, will be on
the board, but Boston needs a defenseman. Flanagan fits the mold of
a pro. He's big, has range, speed, stick skills and checking and
cover ability. There really isn't a thing he can't do.

5. Long Island Lizards: Shamel Bratton, M, Virginia
(24g, 17a)
It makes too much sense to me that the Long Island native Bratton
lands with the Lizards. Long Island wants to add offense, and
Bratton can provide it from the midfield. He's been in the
spotlight since playing at Huntington High School and, while
attracting constant attention at Virginia, has put up 101 career
points. Will be a big fan favorite.

6. Toronto Nationals (from Chesapeake
Bayhawks): Jeremy Thompson, M, Syracuse (15g, 8a,
46 GBs, 58.2 FO%) A dynamic presence with his faceoff ability and ability
to create transition offense. Member of the Iroquois Nationals team
that wanted to play at the FIL World Games.

SECOND ROUND

7. Toronto Nationals: Jay Card, A, Hofstra (31g, 22a, 31
GBs)
Another Canadian that makes sense to land with the Nationals. He's
a great finisher and is the next best attackman behind Bitter. The
Nationals will have a good night with three of the top seven
picks.

8. Rochester Rattlers: John Galloway, G, Syracuse (7.16
GAA, 59.5 SV%)
Rochester gets the goalie it needs, and he happens to be the best
goalie in the draft.

9. Denver Outlaws: Zach Brenneman, M, Notre Dame (29g,
13a)
If Denver takes Bitter in the first round, a two-way midfielder
could be next on its wish list. Brenneman, a lefty, is built for
the pro game. He's big (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), strong, durable
(hasn't missed a game at Notre Dame), and an effective dodger who
is good clearing and on defense, too.

11. Long Island Lizards: Rhamel Bratton, M, Virginia
(23g, 8a, 20 GBs)
Maybe its wishful thinking, but the Brattons will end up on Long
Island together. Rhamel would boost the Lizards' midfield depth, as
would Long Island native Brenneman, if available. Long Island could
also use another attackman, and adding Duke's Zach Howell to former
Blue Devils Matt Danowski and Zack Greer is appealing. However,
Howell could also be a third-rounder.

12. Boston Cannons (from Chesapeake Bayhawks): Brian
Farrell, LSM, Maryland (6g, 6a, 53 GBs, 26 CTs)
Boston may have already taken a defenseman, but it could look
toward that end again. Farrell's work in transition is unmatched by
any in this draft, and he would be a great piece to have for his
fast break ability. Cover skills are questioned by some.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The MLL is a midfielder's league, and team rosters and the draft
usually reflect that. (See: Pat Heim, No. 1 overall pick to the
Chicago Machine out of Penn State in 2007.) But this year's crop of
defensemen is as deep as an MLL rookie class has seen... The draft
begins at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Power Plant in Baltimore, site of
the former ESPNZone, and will be streamed online on ESPN3.com. The
draft is open to the public, but not open to players who will
likely be drafted. The league doesn't want to accidently have a
player commit an NCAA violation (take a team hat, shirt, or more
importantly, acknowledge the fact that they plan to play
professionally) which would result in making them ineligible this
college season. The league published a 12-question FAQ for players concerned
about eligibility issues and other draft-related questions... Check
back to laxmagazine.com for a live draft blog
Friday night and post-draft coverage.